Where are the bumblebees?

Lepidoptera

There are usually loads of bumblebees in the area and all over my garden, but I've been waiting since spring for them to appear like usual. I've only seen one in the garden in the past couple of months and hardly any while out walking. This is very strange.

I also haven't seen any wasps around, which is also very unusual.

endacl

We've a wasp nest in the roof, so no shortage there.

Lepidoptera

Every year since moving here there's been a wasp nest nearby, but nothing this year. A lot of work has been done in the area to make it friendly to bees and give them lots of plants and flowers they like, but it's so quiet this year

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

We haven't had this many Bumblebees in over 25 years. Last year was good but this is better again.

magicbastarder

we have a few bumblebees in our garden - mainly common carder bees, from my limited knowledge.

Lumina

I saw a bumblebee outside my house today on a bush with loads of other bees (smaller/less furry). Dublin seems to have some bee life.

ThisRegard

My area in Dublin has a lot more bees of all types than I've seen in years.

Half-cocked

Loads in my garden in Baldoyle, probably more than previous years.

Capercaillie

Got a photo of a great yellow bumblebee on the farm in June. Very pleased with that!

vistafinder

Have never seen so many around here this year. They love the broad bean flowers. Have a couple of patches of phacelia planted in the veg plot and some borage around the place too plus white clover and the volume on a fine day is like standing next to a bee hive. Have seen them near the thyme flowers too.Really great to see and hear.

Zoo4m8

Lots here as well, where we once had honey bees we now have bumbles in equal numbers if not more so ...Armageddon postponed

pawrick

Plenty in my garden yesterday around the lavender. Had 3 wasp nests this summer around the house and shed also.

Lepidoptera

Well I'm really glad to hear that others have plenty of bees as I was getting a bit concerned. Not sure why I'm not seeing them around my area this year, but happy they are having a good season in other areas.

magicbastarder

spotted a few red tailed bumblebees in the garden today; we don't see them around here much.

cd07

Very few bees around here (naul) the very few i see are red tails

Fishy1

Am clueless about identifying bees, but this bee landed on a lily leaf in our small suburban pond.
He was trying to climb from one leaf to another, but wasn't having much success. I put a little bamboo cane in front of him & he climbed on to it, then I let him climb off & he just crawled around the paved edge of our pond for the rest of the afternoon. He wasn't dead, but thought it strange that he didn't fly away.

Zoo4m8

I think they basically run out of 'fuel' , I have seen a neighbour mix up a syrup of sugar and water and place a drop in front of the bee, it feeds from it and in a short while flys away..

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

He was half drowned and too wet to fly.

Chris_Heilong

I would agree with the OP, I have only seen one all year and it was grounded and probably dying. I remember being a kid in the 80s and they seemed to more common than flys.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Surveys suggest bumblebee numbers well up this year.

L1011

Parents garden is full of them, particularly feasting on lavender plants.

Fuzzy Clam

Bryant Mammoth Munchies wrote: »

Surveys suggest bumblebee numbers well up this year.

Well down here this year. Last year was good though. Counted about 20 at one go. This year only seen a couple so far.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Did a quick count in the garden just yesterday and had 70+ bumblebees

Interslice

Bryant Mammoth Munchies wrote: »

Surveys suggest bumblebee numbers well up this year.

Was just thinking the last few weeks I don't remember seeing as many. In Co. Meath here. Nearly stood on one this morning. Tidy towns, County councils gardeners etc. are starting to become more aware. Starting just this year I think the implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is being coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre with funding from The Heritage Council and Bord Bia.

mr.wiggle

Bumble bee numbers in my area are definitely down on last year, going to plant up a lot of my garden with bee friendly bushes this summer/autumn to see if I can help them out next year !

Capercaillie

No expert, but certain secies doing ok but a lot of bumble bee species are in severe danger.

_Brian

We have them earlier but haven't seen them with recent bad weather.